By Samira Larbie
Accra, May 15, GNA-The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has sent a strong warning to individuals who attack firefighters during emergency operations.
They have also declared that such acts will no longer be tolerated as the Service graduated its first batch of specially trained Fire Police officers.
Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, speaking at the closing ceremony of the Basic Fire Police Course 1-2026, described the graduation as “the birth of a new chapter” in Ghana’s emergency response and national security architecture.
According to him, the newly trained officers would provide discipline, crowd control, operational security and protection for firefighters at emergency scenes, enabling fire officers to focus fully on saving lives and property.
“Firefighters who rush into burning buildings deserve assurance that someone is watching their back,” he said.
Mr Terlabi explained that the Fire Police concept, first introduced in October 1992 under the late Chief Fire Officer Samuel Vallis Achiama, had now evolved into a fully retrained and professionalized unit under the standards of the Ghana Armed Forces Military Police.
He commended the Ghana Military Police for their professionalism and operational guidance throughout the three-week intensive training programme held from April 20 to May 11, 2026.
The 50 officers selected from across the country underwent rigorous training in discipline, crowd control, intelligence gathering, investigations, VIP protection, weapon handling, criminal law and operational tactics.
Mr Terlabi charged the graduates to uphold integrity, fairness and professionalism at all times, stressing that they had become the foundation upon which the future of the Fire Police Unit would be built.
“You are expected to be alert and consistent in your duties, fair but courteous, impartial in your treatment of all persons and unflinching in your cooperation with fellow officers and law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Mrs Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), in an emotionally charged address, revealed that more than 30 attacks on firefighters had been recorded this year alone during emergency operations.
Some of the incidents, she said, resulted in serious and life-threatening injuries to personnel.
“This situation cannot continue,” she declared.
“From today, any person who attacks, obstructs or prevents firefighters from carrying out their lawful duties will be arrested and handed over to the Ghana Police Service.”
The CFO emphasized that attacks on firefighters would no longer be treated lightly, warning that offenders would face the full rigours of the law.
She, however, urged firefighters themselves to remain calm, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties.
“Our main responsibility is to save lives and property. We must continue to serve the people with professionalism and respect,” she stated.
Mrs Ntow-Sapong said the newly strengthened Fire Police Unit would work closely with the Ghana Police Service to provide security and maintain order during emergency operations.
Despite operational challenges, she noted that the Fire Service had succeeded in reducing fire outbreaks nationwide through sustained public education campaigns, especially in markets, business centres and other vulnerable areas.
She also announced that the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, was supporting efforts to retool the Service, adding that more than 100 fire tenders were expected to be delivered soon.
Madam Jacqueline Dela Galley, the Commanding Officer of the Ghana Military Police, said the training programme was designed to prepare participants for real-life operational challenges.
She praised the discipline and professionalism exhibited by the trainees throughout the course and stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing modern security and emergency response challenges.
“You are expected to serve as role models and uphold the standards, image and authority of the Ghana National Fire Service at all times,” she told the graduates.
Lt Col Galley urged the officers to apply the skills acquired in crowd control, operational tactics and intelligence gathering effectively in protecting firefighters, fire installations and emergency grounds.
The Basic Fire Police Course was concluded over a period of three weeks with the primary objective of enhancing and firmly establishing the operational capacity of the Fire Police Unit within the GNFS.
The course was specially designed to build a disciplined, well-trained, and responsive, Fire Police component capable of supporting law enforcement functions, maintaining order at incident scenes, providing protection of firefighters and enhancing overall security operations within the Service.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Samira Larbie